1. sports
2. bicycling
3. mountain biking

2010
Annual Report
owner and operator of
presented by
Corporate Profile
Denver Bike Sharing is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that
owns and operates Denver B-cycle. Denver B-cycle is
a public bike sharing program consisting of 500 bicycles and 50 stations located throughout downtown
Denver.
Our Vision
The vision of Denver Bike Sharing (DBS) is to help create a shift in Denver’s transportation culture that supports the City of Denver’s goal to increase its bicycle
commuting population to 10 percent of all commuters
by 2018. Within the next 3-5 years, DBS aims to build
a public bike sharing network of 1500 bikes and 150
stations that connects to public transportation and
serves Downtown Denver, surrounding mixed use
neighborhoods, and several outlying compatible population centers.
Our Mission
Denver Bike Sharing operates a comprehensive, citywide bike sharing system in Denver, to promote health,
quality of life and preservation of the environment. DBS
offers residents and visitors an alternative form of public transportation. Denver B-cycle complements and is
integrated into the city’s transportation system.
Contact Us:
2737 Larimer Street, Suite A
Denver, CO 80205
303.825.3325
info@denverbikesharing.org
Contents
2
4
5
7
9
13
15
17
20
21
22
23
Letters from the Board Chair & Executive Director
Highlights of the 2010 Season
Membership & Usage
Financials
System Design & Station Management
Operations
Customer Service/System Functionality
Marketing
Board
2010 Donors, Partners & Sponsors
The Team
Acknowledgements
Denver Bike Sharing 1
Annual Report
Letter from the Chair of the Board
Dear Friends,
When I first agreed to be Chair for Denver Bike Sharing (DBS), I did it because I wanted to offer my support to the
Denver community. As a third generation Denver native, I have always deeply believed in giving back to the community.
In the beginning I had no idea how important Denver B-cycle would be to this city’s residents and tourists. From
inception to today, I’ve seen Denver B-cycle become a catalyst for changing Denver’s transportation culture and an
example to other U.S. cities. Denver has earned well-deserved respect because of DBS’s introduction of a city-wide bike
sharing to the United States.
The idealized business model for DBS is simple. One time grants and contributions purchase the capital (i.e. kiosks,
bikes, docks), and recurring revenues from sponsorships, membership and usage fees finance operating, general, and
administrative costs. In its first season, there was a little crossover in this model. DBS raised more than $1.5 million
dollars in grants and contributions and more than $1.6 million in sponsorship, membership, and usage fees. With this
funding, DBS purchased the entire system, set up the office and shop, hired staff and got to work. As the year progressed,
we secured free goods and services and tightened our belts at every opportunity.
This past year was clearly a rough financial time for most businesses in America. Many companies suffered the negative
effects from their consumers being more conservative with their money. Even through this economic downturn, DBS
started a new business and saw extremely positive results after its first year of operation.
Our first season was not without its trials, and not surprisingly, brought with it many typical start-up challenges, from
software glitches to customers not understanding our fee structure. We have devoted an enormous amount of time and
effort to understanding and addressing each of those problems. During our 2010/2011 winter hibernation, with our
partners, B-cycle LLC, we implemented many of these technological solutions that will result in a more reliable system.
We are striving to create the ideal bike sharing system. With this in mind, we hope to achieve our goal of a 1,500 bike/150
station bike sharing system in Denver within three to five years. With this size of system, Denver B-cycle would be able
to reach all audiences across Denver in their neighborhoods, parks, local shops and businesses. In the meantime, we are
working to raise the funds for a minor expansion while we prepare for a larger expansion in 2012.
Not only as the Chair of DBS, but more importantly as a citizen of Denver, I could not be prouder to be part of a
movement that will create a cleaner, healthier, and shared tomorrow. On behalf of the Board of Directors of DBS, I thank
you for your interest and look forward to your support in years to come.
Cheers,
“Denver has earned well-deserved respect
because of DBS’s introduction of a city-wide
bike sharing to the United States.”
2 Denver Bike Sharing
Annual Report
Letter from the Executive Director
On August 25, 2008, the “1,000 Bikes” project of the greening initiative of the 2008 Democratic National Convention was kicked off
in Denver by a peloton. Several hundred volunteers, bike advocates and local leaders followed then Mayor John Hickenlooper on
bicycles from the River North Arts District (RINO) down Larimer Street and ultimately to the Green Frontier Fest at the Denver
Center for Performing Arts’ Sculpture Park. While many of the people on that ride would play a major part in bringing bike
sharing to Denver, on that day few had any clue what future they were helping create.
“We are united in and inspired by our belief that
bike sharing is a step toward manifesting a new
vision of city life, an evolution from the car-centric
Denver that dominated the twentieth century.”
Since that time, some of the same individuals were joined by many others. Together, we attended meetings, shared ideas, and
created plans. We rode the streets, drew maps, wrote funding proposals, drafted contracts, re-drafted contracts, wrote checks,
sketched drawings, filed permits, passed ordinances, filed for and received tax exempt designation, hired staff, found space, created
functioning office systems, installed stations, launched the system, and tested and improved and tested again the first on-theground technologies developed by and purchased from B-cycle LLC. This unprecedented coalition of elected officials and business
leaders, planners, lawyers, citizens, sustainability and bicycle advocates and even tourists laid the groundwork and then installed,
operated and rode Denver B-cycle, the country’s first major, city-wide bike sharing program - a system of 500 bikes and 50 stations
that now lace the streets of Denver.
Two and a half years after that exhilarating ride down Larimer Street, nine months after our official 2010 Earth Day launch, Denver
Bike Sharing has concluded its first season. About 33,000 residents and tourists rode our bikes more than 102,000 times. We rode
to work, to meetings, to restaurants, ran errands and shopped. We rode just for the fun of it. Forty three percent of us would
otherwise have driven a car. We avoided pouring carbon into the atmosphere and prevented pumping toxic air pollutants into our
lungs. We pocketed real money we could spend elsewhere. We created the equivalent of 13 full time jobs.
All who have worked to create this reality are united in and inspired by our belief that bike sharing is a step toward manifesting a
new vision of city life, an evolution from the car-centric Denver that dominated the twentieth century. We know that bicycles are
more than a toy. Some of us believe that bicycles are a means to reclaim our urban environments and streets for people; others
simply know that bikes are a fun way to promote exercise. Some of us feel that bikes are a simple action that can collectively help
address climate change and peak oil. Some believe all of this is true. There is no better example of true sustainability than public
bike sharing - a simple solution that simultaneously addresses environmental, economic and community challenges.
This annual report is written for everyone who brought Denver Bike Sharing to this point in time – for our funders, sponsors,
partners, members and guests to show you where your decisions and actions have led. We are here because of you.
We have two major challenges ahead. In the next few years, we need to raise about $5 million to add 1,000 more bikes and 100 more
stations to better serve as a fully reliable component of Denver’s multi-modal transportation system. Our other major challenge is
a massive social marketing undertaking – to work together to shift the personal transportation behavior of Denver residents from
almost exclusive dependence on single occupancy vehicles to reliance on a flexible multi-modal system that uses the right tool for
the job, blending walking, biking, shared and personal vehicles and public transportation.
We still need you. We have a long way to go, and moving forward, we will continue to rely on our partners. We look forward to that.
Gratefully,
Denver Bike Sharing 3
Annual Report
Highlights of the 2010 Season
50 Stations
500 Bikes
The Numbers
•
•
•
•
•
Short-term Memberships (24-hour kiosk, 24-hour online, 7-day, 30-day) Purchased: 32,922
Annual Memberships Purchased: 1,784
B-cycle Rides: 102,981 rides
Miles Ridden: 211,111
Average ride: 2.05 miles
The Health Benefits
•
•
6,333,332 calories burned
1,810 lbs. lost
The Results
According to a survey of our members,an estimated 43.16% of Denver B-cycle trips replaced car
trips, resulting in the following environmental and economic benefits:
312,121 lbs. of carbon emissions avoided
9,613 lbs. of toxic air pollutants avoided
15,868 gallons of gasoline not used
$41,256 est. saved on gasoline
$311,126 est. saved on car parking
The News and Social Media
•
•
•
More than 775 news articles about or
mentioning Denver B-cycle
More than 2,450 Facebook fans
More than 2,500 Twitter followers
4 Denver Bike Sharing
Annual Report
Membership and Usage
Andy Duvall, a PhD student at the Center for Infrastructure Systems at the University of Colorado, is doing his
PhD thesis on public bike sharing using our data. Mr. Duvall’s study population was users who registered an
email address with DBS. There was a 30% response rate with 69% of respondents having purchased an annual
membership. Through his first survey conducted on Sep. 1, we have been able to collect the following data:
The Typical Denver B-cycle Rider
Working age
• 89% are between the ages of 25 and 64
• Compared to 58.3% within the Denver
population*
College educated
• 87% hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Compared to 40.3% within the Denver
population*
Above median income
• 79.4% report household income of $50,000
or more
• Compared to $46,410 Denver median
household income*
Healthy
• 96.6% report excellent, very good or good
health
Spend money while on bicycle trips
• 41% shop or do errands by bike ≥2 times per
week
Are less car-dependent than typical commuter
• 21.1% commute by private bike; 9.7% by
Denver B-cycle (30.7% combined bicycle
commute mode share)
• Only 13.7% drove alone to commute
• 88% walk or bike to routine destinations
Use other forms of transit
• More than 20% bike to or from bus or rail
stops
• 21% depend on a bicycle connection to transit
Have access to other vehicles
• 96% own a car
• 80% own a bicycle
*U.S. Census 2009 American Community Survey
Denver Bike Sharing 5
Annual Report
Memberships and Usage (cont.)
Total Memberships Purchased/Redeemed During 2010 Season
24-hr kiosk (walk up) memberships
24-hr online memberships
7-day memberships
30-day memberships
Annual memberships
28,662
2,086
204
81
1,784
Total
32,817
* These numbers include free day passes, discounted memberships,
or giveaways.
6 Denver Bike Sharing
Annual Report
Financials
Denver Bike Sharing’s (DBS) business model relies
on grants and gifts to finance capital acquisitions,
while recurring annual revenue generated by sponsorships and memberships and usage fees pay for
operating and general and administrative expenses.
Prior to our first season when operating revenues
started to flow, we received foundation support
to put in place the organizational infrastructure
needed to build and manage the system.
DBS received capital contributions of more than
$1.5 million to fund its purchase of the bike sharing
system. Operating and General & Administrative
activities during Season 1 were primarily supported
by contributions, sponsorships, member fees, and
bike usage fees totaling approximately $1.27 million. The main components of total expenses were
payroll, non-capital B-Cycle system operating costs,
insurance, rent, marketing, and professional services. Operating revenue and general and administrative expenses do not include approximately
$350,000 of contributed professional services. DBS
is entering it’s second season with a healthy financial position and a budget for 2011 that anticipates
moderate growth in operating revenues.
Operating
Grants &
Contributions
4%
Gifts in Kind Goods
1%
Sponsorships
26%
Capital
Grants &
Contributions
55%
Operating and
G&A Expenses
40%
Capital
Expenditures
60%
Operating
OperatingExpenses
Expenses
Depreciation &
Amortization
Expense
34%
Insurance
6%
B-Cycle System
Expenses
22%
Other Operating
Expenses
5%
Operating Payroll
Expense
25%
Merchant
Account Fees
3%
Warehouse and
Office Expense
5%
General
& Administrative
Expenses
General
& Admin Expenses
Total Resources
Total Resources
Membership
Fees
9%
Capitalvs.
vs Operating/G&A
Expenses
Capital
Operating/G&A
Expenses
G&A Payroll
Expense
51%
Usage Fees
5%
Insurance
3%
Other G&A
Expenses
6%
Professional
Services
15%
Marketing
20%
Office Expenses
5%
Denver Bike Sharing 7
Annual Report
Financials (cont.)
Statement of Activities for Season I
For the period including March 2009 through
December 31, 2010
INCOME
Capital Grants & Contributions
Operating Resources
Gifts in Kind - Goods
Operating Grants & Contributions
Membership Fees
Sponsorships
Usage Fees
Total Operating Resources
TOTAL INCOME
1,529,500
31,295
122,517
243,900
727,791
146,626
1,272,129
2,801,629
EXPENSE
Operating Expenses
B-cycle System Expenses
188,518
Depreciation & Amortization Expense 286,722
Insurance
48,652
Merchant Account Fees
27,961
Operating Payroll Expense
211,739
Warehouse and Office Expense
45,255
Other Operating Expenses
44,838
Total Operating Expenses
853,684
General and Administrative
G&A Payroll Expense
203,318
Insurance
13,682
Marketing
77,631
Office Expenses
19,395
Professional Services
61,116
Other G&A Expenses
23,626
Total General and Administrative
398,769
TOTAL EXPENSE
1,252,452
NET INCOME*
1,549,177
*The cost of the bike sharing system is not expensed
when incurred but is depreciated over the system’s
expected useful life. This significantly contributed to
DBS’s $1.5 million net income for Season 1.
8 Denver Bike Sharing
Annual Report
Statement of Financial Position as of
December 31, 2010
ASSETS
Current Assets
Checking/Savings
Accounts Receivable
Other Current Assets
Total Current Assets
Property & Equipment
Bikes
Leasehold Improvements
Office Equipment
Shop Equipment
Stations
Transportation Equipment
Total Property & Equipment
Accumulated Depreciation
Net Property & Equipment
Other Assets
TOTAL ASSETS
424,436
15,926
60,217
3,323
1,296,086
52,125
1,852,112
(286,344)
1,565,768
4,430
2,099,147
LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS
Liabilities
Current Liabilities
Long Term Liabilities
Total Liabilities
Unrestricted Net Assets
TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS
410,665
139,305
549,971
1,549,176
2,099,147
357,931
94,214
76,804
528,949
System Design and Station Management
Station siting was part science and part art. Being
the first city in the U.S. to install a bike sharing
system, DBS looked to European bike sharing
models to provide system design criteria, with the
understanding that there are inherent physical
and cultural differences to take into account. To
make our early decisions about station locations,
we assembled bike advocates, city planners, traffic
engineers, transportation planners, sustainability
advocates, and a global public bike sharing scholar.
We brainstormed for hours and decided upon the
following criteria.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Near an origin and a destination
Close to high use transit stops
In a high density neighborhood
Close to bike friendly streets & trails
Connect to employment centers, parks, or
cultural, sports facilities
High visibility
We took GIS maps and drew circles around potential
locations that fit our criteria. Teams of people rode
bikes throughout Denver. Then we measured and
limited our efforts to locations with enough space
for a station AND that met city rules and regulations
or had landowners willing to host us. In the end, our
system is described in the following charts:
Number of Stations by Power Source
35
29
30
25
20
15
13
10
8
5
0
Solar
Both Solar and Wired
Wired
Number of Stations by Size
14
13
12
10
10
Quantity of Stations
The Denver Bike Sharing(DBS) system contains 50
stations, with the majority centered in downtown
Denver, and supporting stations in surrounding
neighborhoods. Stations are situated near densely
populated areas that people travel to or from on
a regular basis, as well as next to existing bus and
light rail stops. The system serves as a transportation
alternative for some, and a transportation supplement
for others.
8
8
7
6
5
4
4
2
2
1
0
0
7 Dock
Station
9 Dock
Station
11 Dock
Station
13 Dock
Station
15 Dock
Station
17 Dock
Station
19 Dock
Station
21 Dock
Station
23 Dock
Station
Station Size
Number of Stations by Property Type
25
22
20
14
15
10
5
5
4
4
Parks and Rec
RTD
1
0
Privately Owned
Public ROW
State Owned
City Owned Private
Property
Denver Bike Sharing 9
Annual Report
System Design and Station Management (cont.)
Timeline
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
September 2009 – Station location development and input from partners acquired.
October 2009 – Property owner outreach to acquire space. Licensing begins. City and County of Denver
permitting process begins.
December 2009 – Station hardware is purchased. Manufacturing begins.
January/February 2010 – Securing legal contracts and licenses to locate stations.
March 2010 – Site preparations begin. Station installation begins.
April 22nd 2010 – The bike sharing system launches with 40 stations.
May and beyond – Ten additional stations installed. Search begins to secure funding to purchase more
bike sharing stations. Data collection and system analysis begins.
Process
It takes between 2 and 9 months to find a location, acquire proper permits, finalize contracts/liabilities/
licenses, prepare the site, and install a station. There were 89 potential locations identified. Out of those 89
locations, relationships between property owners began, permits and legal agreements were drafted, and cost
estimates were provided. 39 of those 89 locations did hit a roadblock at some point in the process, and Denver
Bike Sharing was denied access to those locations. The station management process involves relationships,
planning, collaboration, and deliverables from the following groups:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Architects
City Attorney’s Office
City Council Members
Construction Contractors
Equipment Providers
Human Rights/ADA
Landmark Preservation
Legal Teams
10 Denver Bike Sharing
Annual Report
•
•
•
•
•
•
Mayor’s Office
Office of Economic Development
Parks and Recreation
Permitting and Surveying Property Owners/Leasers and Facilities Managers
Public Works
Community Planning and Development
System Design and Station Management (cont.)
General characteristics of higherperforming stations
•
•
•
•
•
•
High visibility for pedestrians
Consistent and concentrated pedestrian activity
Medium to high density, mixed land use
High interconnectivity with other stations
Temporal consistency of destination attractions
Strong transit connectivity
General characteristics of lowerperforming stations
•
•
•
•
•
•
Low visibility for pedestrians
Inconsistent or sparse pedestrian activity
Homogenous, low density land use
Low interconnectivity with other stations
Temporal inconsistency of destination
attractions
Nearly all have transit connectivity, some strong
Future Opportunities
As we continue to collect user data and analyze how our system is being used, Denver Bike Sharing can plan
accordingly for future expansion to 1,500 bikes and 150 stations. As we analyze what makes particular stations
more popular than others, we are able to determine areas in Denver that have similar traits and focus our
expansion efforts on them. To accomplish this, it is imperative that we make strides to:
•
•
Secure funding to purchase more stations and bikes
Expand the network of stations to forecasted areas that can drive new membership, revenue, and add value
to existing rider flows
Continue to build strong relationships with our property owners and the City of Denver as we fine tune
station locations and sizes
•
After a season of operation, we have learned that the following factors determine station usage. These
will be applied systematically to future station siting decisions.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bicycle multidirectional access (infrastructure)
Bicycle multidirectional egress (infrastructure)
Observation of bicycle traffic
Destination intensity
Destination temporality
Destination variety (mixture of land use)
Location incivilities (graffiti, litter, vandalism)
Location park/trail proximity
Location prestige (socially or structurally notable)
Location proximate car speed limit
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Location solar exposure
Pedestrian traffic consistency
Pedestrian traffic volume
Population (employment) density
Population (residential) density
Transit (bus) proximity
Transit (Denver B-cycle) proximity
Transit (rail) proximity
Visibility from adjacent street
Visibility from adjacent walkways
Denver Bike Sharing 11
Annual Report
System Design and Station Management (cont.)
Current Map of B-cycle Stations
12 Denver Bike Sharing
Annual Report
Operations
Bicycle and station operations management and
maintenance was the key to our success during the
first year of Denver Bike Sharing (DBS). The bikes
were kept clean and in good working order all season
long. System data was continually analyzed to develop
efficient and effective operation techniques. DBS
and B-cycle, LLC worked closely to identify, fix, and
improve on any and all system issues which hindered
operations. Our primary goal was to bring the best
service possible to Denver B-cycle members.
Staffing
The staffing profile was configured to provide two
technicians on-duty, seven days a week, during
operational hours, utilizing four full-time technicians
and six intermittent technicians. Technicians were
assigned to a 10 hour shift, four days a week. The 10
hour day shift and 10 hour night shift overlapped
by two hours a day. The overlap time, in addition to
providing more staff for balancing and repair duties,
enabled DBS to hold staff “huddles” to exchange
information, define priorities, and share best
practices.
Staffing levels in 2010 were adequate in meeting
repair and balancing needs. As with any startup
endeavor, there were warranty repairs, retrofits, and
technology problems that needed to be addressed in
order to keep the system in operation. B-cycle was
constantly looking for ways to create a better system;
and in 2011 a majority of problems with the bicycles
and stations will be addressed.
Maintenance and Repair
The B-cycle bicycle is built by the Trek Bicycle
Corporation specifically for bike sharing, which
resulted in unique requirements when it came to
repair. The B-cycle digital platform software was
designed not only to track the location of all bicycles
at any given time, but also enabled the staff of DBS
to manage all operational issues, from customer
service to bike inspections and repairs. In the shop,
whenever a bicycle needed a repair, maintenance
tickets were created to track what needed to be
done. While there were instances where multiple
bicycles were placed out of service for repair, DBS
had enough bikes to maintain service.
Tickets/Repairs:
• 8,772 maintenance tickets created
• 6,571 bike inspections
• 664 broken brake levers replaced
• 131 seat tube hones
• 144 flat tires
• 154 electrical problems
• 101 missing/broken keys
• 31 defective frames
Liability Issues - all of the following issues fell under
Denver Bike Sharing’s liability deductible limits:
• One stolen bike
• Two vandalized bikes
• Five vandalized kiosk screens
• One accident
• No reported injuries
Denver Bike Sharing 13
Annual Report
Operations (cont.)
Stations
With a unique and innovative system, 2010 was a learning year for station operations. There were times when
kiosk functionality was a customer hindrance, with kiosks losing connection and sometimes needing our
staff to reboot a station. Through constant evaluation and tweaking of the system, connectivity has greatly
improved. Kiosk screens were evaluated and were deemed unable to meet demands of the system. With this
evaluation, there is a goal for improved kiosk screens, user interface, and overall customer experience in 2011.
Kiosk screens will be replaced with a much stronger, easier to use screen by the opening of the 2011 season.
A new CPU will also be installed by opening day, 2011, and will improve reliability. Docks proved to be very
reliable, and required very little attention from DBS Techs.
Data Management and Analysis
With access to real-time data, DBS
will be able to maximize efficiencies
discovered in 2010, and will be
positioned to expand in a rational and
effective manner.
Data is important in the analysis of the system. With the collective data, DBS was able to identify what works,
what doesn’t, and specific areas for improvement. This information/analysis was key in maintaining system
balance as well as creating schedules and tasks that support the effectiveness of the overall network.
Winter Activities
Far from being a quiet season, winter in the bike sharing world is an intensely busy period. The
following activites take place during hibernation:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
31 bikes were built from new replacement frames
Chains and crank arms have been removed for cleaning
on all 469 bikes
New centering spring anchors will installed on 500 bikes
New headlight/basket brackets will be installed on 500
bikes
New grips will be installed on 500 bikes
Front fenders will be trimmed on approximately 60 bikes
Seat tubes will be honed on approximately 15 bikes
Fork drain holes will be drilled on 500 bikes
14 Denver Bike Sharing
Annual Report
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fork bumpers will be installed on 500 bikes
Brake levers will be replaced on 500 bikes
Kickstands will be replaced on 470 bikes
Seat post binder bolts will be replaced on 500 bikes
Bell hammers will be replaced on approximately 400
bikes
All bikes will be cleaned and tuned
Ad plates will be attached to 500 bikes
Bike computers will be installed on 500 bikes
Customer Service/System Functionality
Summary of System Functionality from 2010 Season as Related to Customer Relations
Beginning
With a first-in-the-nation system and technology, there were typical start up challenges. Technical issues
caused a diversion of staff resources to mitigate issues that arose from user difficulties. The technical issues
had the greatest effect on 24-hour kiosk users and secondly on 24-hour, 7-day, and 30-day online users. The
dominant technical issue were disconnects in communication between the kiosks at each station and the
server that runs the system. Annual members had a much better overall experience because they had a B-card
which did not require use of the kiosk to check out a bike.
In addition to technical issues, the other major user issue which arose was a customer misunderstanding of
usage fees. Many first time users perceived the system as a bike rental instead of a bike sharing system and
were under the impression that they were able to keep a bike for an entire 24-hour period for the total cost
of $5. This resulted in high usage fee charges to the customer and an upset call to customer service. Denver
Bike Sharing offered refunds routinely to confused customers who called customer service. Several factors
accounted for this misunderstanding:
•
•
•
•
User error – Failure to read provided usage fee information on station decal, in user agreement, on
website, and various other documents.
Bike Sharing is a brand new concept in the U.S. and thus, users associate the bikes with a bike rental,
which does not have usage fees.
No usage fee information provided on kiosk screens other than user agreement, which is often accepted
without reading.
Misinformation provided by hotels, friends, and others.
Improvements Throughout the Season
B-cycle, in partnership with Denver Bike Sharing, worked continuously to make major improvements to
the system. Total disconnects dropped considerably after a server upgrade took place on 6/20/2010 (see
Disconnect graph on the following page), with further updates after that date. Several other technical issues
that affected users as well as backend system management were also addressed.
Furthermore, Denver Bike Sharing took several steps to improve messaging to users to increase awareness
of usage fees. These steps included additional signage, redesigned signage, and priority in key talking points,
among other tactics.
Denver Bike Sharing 15
Annual Report
Marketing
Marketing and Public Relations played an integral
role in Denver B-cycle’s first year of operation.
Audience education and awareness were key
objectives for Denver Bike Sharing (DBS). Bike
sharing is a unique program that is not a widely
known service in the U.S. While very popular in
European cities and countries in both hemispheres,
bike sharing is not prevalent in the U.S., with the
exception of a 10 station pilot project in Washington
D.C.
As with any other unfamiliar product, it is important
to create awareness of Denver B-cycle and to educate
Denver residents and visitors on how to use Denver
B-cycle and how it fits into their everyday life. DBS
utilized multiple strategies and tactics to educate and
create awareness, which in turn resulted in increased
memberships and rides.
Objectives:
•
•
•
•
Educate audiences on the benefits of bike sharing,
B-cycle brand, and how to use the system
Design and implement a launch experience to
generate maximum publicity and drive consumer
demand
Use marketing to assist in achieving 5,280
annual members equivalent during first year of
operations. Annual member equivalent factors in
one, seven, and 30 day users and divides by full
cost of annual member cost total.
Stimulate trial and use of the system among
tourists and visitors
Events
Denver Bike Sharing participated in more than 50
festivals, special events, and tours throughout Denver,
starting with the April 22 Earth Day Denver B-cycle
launch event. Although there was rain, B-cycles
flooded Civic Center Park and the City and County
Building’s front steps along with hundreds of bicycle
supporters. Afterward, Mayor Hickenlooper led
hundreds of bicycle supporters, some of them on red
B-cycle bikes and others on their own bikes, on a
kick-off bicycle parade around Civic Center Park.
16 Denver Bike Sharing
Annual Report
To increase brand awareness and educate people
about the system, Denver Bike Sharing participated
in multiple events. It was also a good opportunity
to get feedback from people and talk with them
one-on-one. Events offered a chance to sell annual
memberships through on-site registration when
appropriate.
A highlight of some of the events Denver Bike
Sharing participated in:
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Westword Music Showcase
Bike to Work Day
NALEO Event
Race for the Place
Park Hill Parade
Trust for Public Land National Board Bike Ride
VISIT DENVER Media Ride
Kaiser Permanente Moonlight Classic
Levi Strauss Directors Board Bike Ride
Safety Training Classes
Civic Center EATS
Summer Toast
Local Flavor Festival
Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children Grand
Opening
Green Route EcoFest
ARTCRANK
Bicycle Film Festival
Tour de Fat
Chipotle Fundraiser Event
University of Denver Freshman Orientation Day
National League of Cities Expo
Yelp Helps!
Marketing (cont.)
Marketing Campaigns
In its first year of operation, Denver Bike Sharing(DBS) achieved the importance of marketing in achieving
brand awareness, stimulating use of the system,–– and achieving a 5,280 annual member equivalent by winter
closure. DBS used multiple strategies and tactics to meet these goals. Keys to this process were the evaluation
of each tactic to determine effectiveness and ways to continually improve.
Highlight of Marketing Tactics
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Location-based marketing
- Businesses located close to
B-stations
- Residential buildings located
close to B-stations
Partnerships
- BikeDenver
- Bicycle Colorado
- Downtown Denver Partnership
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Sponsors synergies
Corporation outreach
Business Incentive Program
Hotel/tourism/convention
outreach
Email and e-newsletter outreach
Discount promotions
surrounding key events
Volunteer campaign
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Seasonal gift promotions
B-cycle displays
Tour de B-cycle
Special Rides
Closure campaign
Denver Bike Sharing 17
Annual Report
Marketing (cont.)
Public Relations
Public relations played a big role in creating brand awareness in Denver and across the nation. Denver B-cycle
received coverage in more than 775 news articles. Even more of a success, 99% of that coverage was positive.
Media coverage started before the launch and stayed consistent throughout the year, making Denver B-cycle
a top local news story. Additionally, Visit Denver, the city’s tourism and convention bureau, constantly
promoted Denver B-cycle to tourists and travel media. Being the first in the nation with a large-scale citywide
bike sharing program, Denver was frequently mentioned in articles about other cities and their plans to launch
bike sharing. Consistent local media coverage was a key to annaual memberships throughout the year.
Social Media
Denver B-cycle utilized social media vehicles Facebook and Twitter to reach 5,000+ followers at the drop
of a hat. Denver Bike Sharing (DBS) used social media on a daily basis to promote a wide variety of topics,
including upcoming events, membership deals, annual membership incentives, bike sharing news, sponsorship
news, images and calls to action, among other things. Not only is social media an easy and immediate way
to reach out to the public, it is a great tool to acquire user feedback. The two-way communication that takes
place on social media has helped DBS listen to its users and address any thoughts, concerns or ideas they have.
Social media was instrumental in creating awareness of the Denver B-cycle brand and its promotions, news
and events.
As of 1/12/2011 – Facebook: 2,435 followers, Twitter: 2,498 followers.
18 Denver Bike Sharing
Annual Report
Board of Directors
Denver Bike Sharing’s volunteer Board of Directors includes business leadership and highly skilled legal
and pro bono accounting expertise as well as two Mayoral appointees, including the City’s bike planner.
Denver Bike Sharing’s Board meets once a month and is an active Board in finalizing decisions made for the
organization.
The composition of the Board is engineered to link to and reflect the community, while providing the
necessary legal, development, accounting, and community leadership expertise necessary to support the
organization. According to the by-laws, there will always be two directors appointed by the Mayor.
Name and Information
Board Title
Ken Gart
President
Gart Properties
Officer and Chair of Board
Parry Burnap
Executive Director
Denver Bike Sharing
Director and Executive of DBS
Steve Sander
Director of Strategic Marketing
Denver Office of Economic Development
Officer and Secretary
Michael Fahndrich
Director
CBIZ MHM, LLC
Officer and Treasurer
Peter Coakley
Principal
Inverness Properties
Director
Adam Devoe
Attorney
Brownstein Hyatt Farber & Schreck, LLP
Director
Andy Duvall
PhD Candidate
Completion - May 2011, CU-Denver
Director
Dr. Eric France
Chief, Population & Preventative Services,
Kaiser Permanente Colorado
Director
Jay Kenney
Jay Kenney Fund
Director
Emily Snyder
Senior City Planner
City & County of Denver
Director
Robin Thurston
Co-Founder & CEO
Map My Fitness
Director
Tom Walton
The Walton Family Foundation
Director
Denver Bike Sharing 19
Annual Report
2010 Donors, Partners, and Sponsors
At the very heart of our success in our first year was the support that we received from the City and County
of Denver. Denver Bike Sharing was incubated within the City and County of Denver and received staff ,
program, and office support for a year and a half. Inspired and encouraged by the leadership of Mayor John
W. Hickenloooper, we got our start within the Greenprint Denver, the Mayor’s Sustainability Program. The
following offices gave us direction and collaborated with us whenever we needed guidance or help.
Denver City Council; Denver’s Offi ce of Strategic Marketing; City Attorney’s Office; Public Works
Department; Community Planning Department; Environmental Health Department; Parks and Recreation
Department; Office of Economic Development; General Services’ Facilities Management Department; Mayor’s
Bicycle Advisory Committee
Other invaluable institutional community partners included; BikeDenver; Bicycle Colorado; Regional
Transportation District; Downtown Denver Partnership; Visit Denver (Denver Metro Conventions & Visitors
Bureau); and Bikes Belong Coalition.
Without an existing US model to emulate or local experience to draw from, Denver Bike Sharing needed and
received a tremendous amount of support from all sectors of our community. The following organizations,
foundations, and businesses stepped forward to make our first year possible. Gifts and grants enabled the
purchase of our system while pro bono partners provided essential and otherwise costly services at no
charge. Sponsor fees covered our operating costs or provided marketing services in exchange for marketing
opportunities, including brand visibility on B-cycle baskets, B-stations, web site, social media, events,
promotional material and media coverage.
Gifts & Grants:
• Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee
• The Walton Family Foundation
• The Anschutz Foundation
• Gates Family Foundation
• The University of Colorado Hospital
• The Gary Williams Company
• DOE Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant – administered by Greenprint Denver
Pro Bono Partners:
20 Denver Bike Sharing
Annual Report
2010 Donors, Partners, and Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Denver Bike Sharing 21
Annual Report
The Team
THANKS TO....
There were no instructions or peer examples for launching bike sharing in the U.S. This team made it happen together in a
year and a half, growing slowly and making it up as we went along, with imagination, intelligence, skill and long, long hours.
Pictured here (from left to right, front to back): Mark Kittler, Technician; Andrea Thibaudeau, Customer Relations
Manager; Steve Sander, Sponsorship and Partnership Director; Amanda Caldwell, Development & Marketing
Manager; Phillip Marino, Technician; Parry Burnap, Executive Director; Daniel Noriega, Technician; Nick
Bohnenkamp, Station Manager; James Kunz, Technician; Gary Rossmiller, Technician; Tyler Reeder, Customer
Relations and Program Assistant; Brent Tongco, Interim Marketing and Communications Director; Keith Goertz,
Business Manager.
Not pictured here: John Watson, Operations Director; part-time techs Andrew Arell, Jeff Cleary, Jonathan Honz, Jeff
Orlowski and Nick Soloninka; Stephanie Woods, Customer Service consultant; and our Partners at B-Cycle LLC
Our interns, who worked every bit as hard as the staff, doing whatever it was that needed to be done for no money,
only passion and a shared belief that bikes have a bigger place in our city’s future.
Pictured here: Kaitlyn Stechmesser, Alex Gelmers, Courtney Harkins, Joe Teynor, Tyler Reeder
Not pictured: Matt Virlee, Rob Price
22 Denver Bike Sharing
Annual Report
Acknowledgements
A final thank you goes out to all those who supported Denver Bike Sharing in its inaugural year.
Below is a listing of the people who dedicated many hours to make Denver B-cycle a wonderful
program. Their passion and dedication helped elevate Denver as one of the national leaders in bike
sharing.
Roger Adams, Francesca
Aguirre-Wong, Will Anderson, Mike
Anthony, Geoff Bailey, Lori Baker, Jennifer
Barbour, Clay Beatty, Jake Beddingfield, Brenda Boeck, Carol
Boigon Cindy Bosco, Camille & John Bright-Smith, Libby Brown,
Tim Brown, Charlie Brown, Bob Burns, Steven Burrell,
Daniel Bush, Jeff Calderone, Rebecca Cales, Malia Campbell, Mark Chapman,
Robert Clark, Peter Coakley, Greg Chrichlow, Andrew Davison, Andrew
DaMelina Dempsey, Daniel DeJean, Adam Devoe, Mike Dino, Tami Door, Bruce
Douglas, Lee Driscoll, Lisa Dumont, Andy Duvall, Nathalie Eddy, Brad Evans, Jeanne
Faatz, Mike Fahndrich, Laureen Ferris, David Fine, Eric France, Dick Gannon, Ken Gart,
Meredith Giske, Tom Gougeon, Dan Grunig, Michael Hancock, Will Handsfield, John
Hayden, Christian Hendrickson, Derek Henry, Aaron Henry, Governor John
Hickenlooper, Leslie Horna, Carolyne Janssen, Jon Jeunette, Carl Johnson, Marcia Johnson, Lee
Jones, Tom Kaesmeyer, Lind Kanamine, Mike Keller, Jay Kenney, Jeff Kirkwood, Ellen Kramer,
Nate Kvamme, Nelson Laux, Peggy Lehmann, Angela Lieurance, Dennis Lima, Corina Lindley,
Doug Linkhart, Greg Loomis, Paul D. Lopez, Kirk MacDonald, Carla Madison, Debbie Main,
Aylene McCallum, Jim McCotter, Alexis Long, Josh Mattison, David Miller, Judy Montero, Scott
Morrisey, Lise & Joe Neer, Chris Nevitt, Bill Obermann, Megan O’Connor, Dan Oftedahl, Cindy
Parsons, Kevin Patterson, jim Perlberg, Mitch Plum, Julie Poppe, Keith Pryor, Ruben Ramirez,
David Rapp, Gary Reed, Alex Reshetniak, Jeanne Robb, John Robbins, Dan Roberts, Scott
Robson, Gary Rossmiller, Hassan Salem, Richard Scharf, Todd Selden, Nancy Severson,
Jason Sherman, Douglas Shinkle, Lindsay Smith, Ryan Smith, Shelley Smith, Mark
Smith, Emily Snyder, Maren Stewart, Scott Taylor, james Taurman, Maggie
Thompson, Robin Thurston, Ryan Tobin, Ben Turner, Chantal Unfug,
Christopher Urbina, Piep van Heuven, Mayor Bill Vidal, Ray Vigil, Tom
Wagner, Tom Walton, Elbra Wedgeworth, Michele Weingarden,
JenniferWieczorek, Roxane White, Joyce Witte, Lewis Wolman ,
and anyone else we may have forgotten...
Denver Bike Sharing 23
Annual Report
2737 Larimer Street, Suite A
Denver, CO 80205
303.825.3325
info@denverbikesharing.org
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